There comes a time in our adult lives when we have to venture from the safety and simplicity of home and find a residence of our own, with two groups often emerging in favour of either houses or apartments.
Each year thousands of potential new homeowners venture out unwittingly into the market without any thought or indication of what will be best for them, and with no correct answer it can become a very complex and difficult process which ultimately comes down to personal preference.
A decision such as this is never an easy one to make and the choice you make could ultimately have an impact on the rest of your life. So before jumping head first into the market you should take a step back and consider all options available to you.
However, circumstances can help make up your mind for you, but if you’re still struggling for reasons to choose your next property, then hopefully this guide can help you.
What should I consider before making a decision?
So you want to move out on your own and make something of yourself? Well for starters you’re going to have to make a checklist of the most important factors that will help make up your mind between choosing a house or an apartment. The following are some of the factors you should take into account:
Unfortunately not all of us have an unlimited bank account, so this has a direct impact on the amount of choice we have as homeowners. When you buy or rent a property you are directly responsible for insuring it, taxing it and paying for any bills that will likely arise. Therefore, you should look for something that is in keeping with your finances.
For those of us who have one eye on the future, the choice can come down to the property’s resale value. Identifying things such as location, space and functionality will play a major role.
Before you buy a property, make sure that you research the market to guarantee that you are getting value for money. Talk to independent valuers and real estate agents, and check recent sales in the area – this can give you a better idea of the property’s value and that way it can at least reflect the price which you paid.
Lifestyle
If you have a job that is quite central or you find yourself in the city more often than not, then choosing an apartment would be the obvious decision for you. If you have a family however and small children who travel to school, then it may not be an ideal location to live in the city, as traffic levels can cause an issue for you.
Likewise if you own any pets you may want to consider moving into a house over an apartment, as it provides them with a much more suitable environment to live in. More space and your own garden make having a pet such as a cat or dog simpler.
Security
A really important factor to consider is the security levels of the building. Is it suitably alarmed? Are there precautions in place in case of an emergency? Is the building old and more likely to be targeted by would-be criminals? Do you live in a high-risk crime area? All these things and more play a major role in decision making because you could end up in danger or worse.
Noise
A lot of the time the biggest decisions can often be made by the smallest factors and noise is no exception.
The chances are that if you rent an apartment you are going to have neighbours – and plenty of them – so if you don’t think you can handle living in such close quarters then this might not be the route for you.
If you really want to live in an apartment for instance then you should consider how close the building is to clubs or other live music venues. Passing traffic can also be an issue, as well as general commuters around town, so you should factor in whether or not this will affect your own lifestyle. A good idea would be to arrange an inspection of the building during times where you think it will become quite noisy to get a better idea of what you’re in for.
Space
Again, this factor can be decided by circumstance, so if you have a family or children living with you then you may want to consider purchasing or renting a house. Contrary to this you may be living alone or with a partner, so having a smaller environment – such as an apartment – might be best suited to your needs.
Location
Before deciding you should check that the property you are interested in is close to the facilities you require. For instance you should look out for shops, public transport, parks, hospitals, schools, work, the gym and more.
If you’re more of an easy-going, city-loving type then choosing to live in an apartment will sound like a dream come true. Regardless of your preference you may still want to get a better understanding of the pros and cons to decide once and for all what is the best option for you.
If you’re struggling to choose between a house or an apartment and would like some professional advice, then simply visit http://pearsonferrier.co.uk/ for all your home buying needs.
Pearson Ferrier are experts in the property industry and can help find you the best deal whether you’re buying, selling or letting, while their highly-skilled team of estate agents are on hand with commercial and domestic inquiries across the UK.